Allegations Surrounding the death of Political Prisoner in Belarus
A 22-year-old political prisoner, Dmitriy Schletgauer, has reportedly died in a Belarusian prison, raising serious concerns about the treatment of political dissidents in the country. According to the Viasna rights group, Schletgauer was serving a 12-year sentence for espionage and “facilitating extremist activities.” His death marks the seventh reported casualty among political prisoners since a significant crackdown began in 2020, following a disputed election that allowed President Alexander Lukashenko to extend his rule.
The aftermath of the election saw widespread protests, with authorities detaining tens of thousands of dissenters as they sought to stifle opposition. Human rights organizations claim that around 1,300 political prisoners are currently held in Belarus, many facing dire conditions, including inadequate medical care and restricted family contact.
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Viasna has stated that the exact cause of Schletgauer’s death remains undisclosed by the authorities, which raises further suspicions about the treatment of inmates. Pavel Sapelka, a representative from Viasna, emphasized that Schletgauer’s death highlights the dire conditions in Belarusian jails, which have been described as torturous. “A young man died behind bars and the authorities are responsible,” he asserted.
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Schletgauer’s death. She insists that international experts must be allowed to inspect the prisons. “We must learn the truth about the deaths in prisons, which in Belarus have turned into a black hole,” she said.
The situation in Belarus continues to draw international scrutiny, as calls for urgent action grow louder to prevent further tragedies among political prisoners.